Pool Water Features and Waterfalls in Leander, TX

Sheer descents, rain effects and waterfalls

How far a sheet of water can fall

A sheet-style waterfall, often called a sheer descent, gets narrower as it falls. Pentair says that once the fall passes 3 feet the sheet starts to break apart and makes an annoying buffeting noise, so it recommends mounting sheet effects no higher than 3 feet. For its rain effects the recommended maximum is 6 feet.

• Sheet effects mounted 3 ft high or less (Pentair)
• Rain effects mounted 6 ft high or less (Pentair)
• About 15 GPM per foot of waterfall (Pentair)
• Discharge edge 3/4 in. clear of the tile line (Pentair)

Where a waterfall sits in the pool wall

Pentair says its waterfalls typically go into the bond beam just above the tile line, or into a raised wall built above the bond beam, and that three things need planning: the wall's thickness, the thickness of the tile or stone, and the weight of the concrete or stone that will cover the unit. Its steps are to notch the bond beam, fix a level board to the pool side as a guide and mortar dam, and bed the unit in mortar flush with that board, packing the area under the lip completely, because an unsupported lip lets the coping warp the waterfall. The discharge edge has to clear the tile line by 3/4 inch. The supply line and baffle need their own support rather than hanging off the lip, or joints can fail and leak, and a curved waterfall has to be cut at the factory, never in the field.

Flow and plumbing

Pentair plans about 15 gallons per minute for each foot of waterfall, so a 3-foot unit needs about 45 GPM. It will run on as little as 10 GPM per foot, though that may not give the effect you want. Each waterfall gets its own flow control valve downstream of the filter and its own 2-inch line, and Pentair recommends a variable-speed pump.

For a free estimate on a waterfall or sheer descent, call Leander Pool Resurfacing or send the form.

Raised walls, finishes and Leander's engineered-plans rule

Engineer-stamped plans for walls 2 feet and higher

Leander's swimming pool packet says any pool with walls or other water features 2 feet or more above grade needs an engineer-stamped set of plans, and it gives waterfalls as an example alongside vanishing and infinity pools. The same packet asks for pool or spa details that include any water features, so a raised waterfall wall is part of the plan review. The City's permit list covers swimming pools and remodels with electrical, mechanical or plumbing work and isn't complete, so confirm the permit with Leander Development Services before the bond beam is cut.

A vanishing edge counts as a water feature too: the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, which Leander adopted, defines it as a detail where water flows over at least one wall into a catch basin. Work on one is covered under infinity edge pool repair.

The finish on a waterfall's face

SGM lists fountains and waterfalls among the places its Diamond Brite finish is used, with a caution: the finish above the water has a dry appearance that differs from the plaster below, and some check cracking may occur. Keeping exposed areas wet for 7 to 28 days, where possible, cuts down on that shrinkage cracking, SGM adds.

Pumps, lights and screening

Pumps and lights bring electrical work, which the code sends to the National Electrical Code or the International Residential Code, and Texas reserves non-exempt electrical work for licensed electricians working through a licensed electrical contractor. Leander's zoning ordinance wants pool pumps, filters and related equipment placed or screened out of sight of streets and neighboring lots, and Block House Creek's architectural committee prohibits pool equipment that can be seen from neighboring property or a street.

Outside the city, Leander Pool Resurfacing also adds pool water features in The Hills.

Pool water feature questions